...And the Training Begins!

It's time to start thinking about my most difficult New Year's Resolution or as I like to call it, "The Hardest Physical Thing I've Ever Done!" (No, giving birth wouldn't fit that bill, I had an epidural and a C-section and although it was scary at the time, it wasn't really hard physically) Anyway...

It's time to start training for the Broad Street Run. I mentioned a couple days ago that Philadelphia's Broad Street Run is the biggest ten-mile run in the country and I don't know why but I got it into my head that I am going to be a part of it this year. I also figured that if I'm going to do a ten-mile race, I may as well train for a half marathon so that if one comes up that I want to do, I'll be ready, it's only three miles more and at that point, does it really matter?

I found a training program in "Fitness" magazine (which I recently subscribed to for $5 at amazon.com. As of today they still have this deal) I LOVE Fitness magazine, it's full of great tips for healthy living and often has a few good and easy healthy recipes in each issue.

The training program says that if you can run two miles without stopping, you can train for a half marathon. Check! I can do that! It starts with three weeks of what I would consider fast-walking and jogging so I am going to skip those weeks, I am already doing WAY more than that for my regular work outs. I'm running more than 15 miles a week and this training plan is starting with only 6 miles a week. I am going to start at Week 5 where it asks you to run two or three miles at an 11:30 pace which is on the easier side for me but I don't want to start off too challenging, as the program progresses they take you through all kinds of hills and other various drills to improve your speed and distance. The program never goes above a 10:30 minute mile so I know it's totally achievable for me.

I tried to find the link for you and realized that it's probably actually a link to "More" magazine which is evidently a fitness magazine for the 40+ set and ummmm, yeah. That would be me. ( I think More and Fitness are affiliated with each other) Anyway, here is the link to the pdf file if you're interested in checking it out yourself.

Today I am going to do a regular longer run and my shoulder workout. I got weighed yesterday and after all the holiday festivities I was DOWN .4 of a pound. Not too much but considering the average American gains 5-9 pounds over the holidays, I'm feeling pretty darn good about it! I have given myself a goal of 20 more pounds to lose by June 1, 2010. That makes a little less than a pound a week and again should be a very achievable goal for me.

Thanks to all who responded to my frenemy posts, (scroll down if you want to read them) I did end up inviting the son of The Frenemy to the party because The Son would want it that way. I haven't decided what to do about my BFF (Bitchy French Friend) yet but boy, you girls aren't a very forgiving bunch... are you! ;) Thanks again for all the support! Enjoy your Friday!